Expertise archives: Design

Why are logos getting simpler?

When designing a logo, it’s easy to go overboard. There are so many great elements you can work with (colors, textures, patterns, shapes, borders, typography, gradients, icons, etc.) that it’s tempting to include a little bit of everything to get …

The benefits of a web typography style guide

When designing website mockups, I always do my best to stick to a reasonable number of typography styles, and make sure there is clear intent behind the hierarchy and styles. Doing so keeps the final result more consistent and it …

You are not your target audience

One of our most common tendencies as people is believing that our own thoughts and opinions are true or the best option. It’s human nature, and a lot of times your gut will lead you in the right direction. However, …

Forty Ipsum: epic filler text

The next time you are in need of filler text, reach for Forty Ipsum instead of your old standby. We took turns creating this tale of the Sky Admiral Aloeicious, his wife Reginia, and his trusty steed Areion — one line …

Feel at home with the new AlwaysOn Healthcare brand and website

AlwaysOn Healthcare, a Peoria home care and medical staffing provider, had all the foundations in place for a successful brand. They’re a rapidly growing company with a heartfelt purpose — to keep seniors comfortable and safe in their homes. However, …

Don’t put all your eggs in the logo basket

If you went out and polled a bunch of business people about what defines their brand, you’d probably end up having a lot of conversations about logos, mixed with a little chatter about corporate colors. Many people may not realize …

Why is sketching such an important aspect of design?

In college, my design professors encouraged me to sketch, but I didn’t want to listen. Why would I want to sketch in a silly little book when I have this computer, with all design software imaginable and more fonts than …